The Coalition leaders have agreed to extend the current excise reductions on petrol and diesel until 1 September 2026. The reductions had been due to expire at the end of July.
The decision means the current reduced excise rates will remain in place through August, before a phased restoration of fuel duties begins in September. Hauliers will feel the extension most through the enhanced Diesel Rebate Scheme, which will now remain in place until 30 September 2026.
The Irish Road Haulage Association welcomed the move, saying it would give operators some relief from fuel-cost pressure during a difficult trading period. The association said the extension followed lobbying by the sector, which had warned that removing fuel supports too quickly would increase pressure on Irish transport companies already dealing with tight margins, volatile diesel prices and rising operating costs.
The Government has not cancelled the planned return to normal fuel taxation. Instead, it has delayed the first increase and spread the restoration over several months.
The current excise reductions will remain in place until the end of August. From 1 September, excise duty and National Oil Reserves Agency levy rates are due to start returning to pre-reduction levels in stages, with further increases expected later in the year.
IRHA welcomes short-term support
IRHA president Ger Hyland welcomed the extension, saying the Government had listened to the concerns of road haulage operators.
The association had argued that a sudden end to the relief would create a sharp cost increase for hauliers, particularly at a time when freight demand and rates remain under pressure.
The enhanced Diesel Rebate Scheme is especially important for licensed road transport operators because it provides more targeted support than the general pump-price relief available to all diesel users.
However, the extension only runs until 30 September. Unless further measures are announced, hauliers will still face a staged increase in fuel taxation during the final quarter of 2026.
